Financial Disaster ==Good News For Recruiters

The vast majority of Americans are severely impacted by the recent economic downturn, but there is one segment of society which regardless Wall Street mistakes as good news– Army recruiters. In the early 1980s, researchers discovered as unemployment rose, there was a similar rise in the number and quality of individuals seeking a career in the armed forces. David Chu, who deals with personnel, says: “what difficult economic times give us, I think, is an opening to make our case to people, who might not otherwise have.” The proof of that comment is found in recent statistics which reveal all four armed services have met their recruiting goals so far this year. This fall, the Army reached in November 101% of its goals while the Marines hit 104%.

There is further evidence the armed forces are attracting high school graduates and even many who score well on standardized tests. It is estimated a 10% increase in unemployment leads to a 3% to 4% increase in high quality enlistments.

Such, is the price of Wall Street young men and women who fouled up the economy– they also fouled up the lives of other young men and women.